Dhaka, Dec. 8 -- Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman has said there is still no conclusive data to determine whether corruption in the country has risen or declined compared to previous years.

"There is no comparative information on whether corruption has increased or decreased. TIB is working on this. But what can be said with certainty is that corruption persists," he noted.

According to him, various groups continue to misuse political and administrative power, engaging in factionalism, extortion and manipulation.

"Corruption has also occurred within government institutions in some areas, which is alarming," he added.

Iftekharuzzaman, who once headed the interim government's ACC Reform Comm...